<section begin=summary />{{translation|'''Hiruzen Sarutobi'''|猿飛ヒルゼン|Sarutobi Hiruzen}} was the {{translation|'''Third [[Hokage]]'''|三代目火影|Sandaime Hokage|lit meaning=Third Fire Shadow}} who hailed from [[Konohagakure]]'s [[Sarutobi clan]]. Hewas part of [[TeamTobirama]]alongside[[HomuraMitokado]]and[[KoharuUtatane]]undertheleadershipof the [[SecondHokage]]. He was alsotrainedby the [[First Hokage]] and would later become the teacher of the Legendary [[Sannin]] [[Tsunade]], [[Jiraiya]],and[[Orochimaru]]andthethirdmantohold the title {{translation|'''God of Shinobi'''|忍の神|ShinobinoKami}}.<section end=summary/>

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<section begin=summary />{{translation|'''Hiruzen Sarutobi'''|猿飛ヒルゼン|Sarutobi Hiruzen}} was the {{translation|'''Third [[Hokage]]'''|三代目火影|Sandaime Hokage|lit meaning=Third Fire Shadow}} of [[Konohagakure]]. Adisciple of thevillage'spreviousHokage,Hiruzenwasapowerfulninja,hailedasa"[[Godof Shinobi]]". Though he was onlyeverdirectly the teacher of the [[Sannin]], generationsofKonohaninjabenefitedfromhiswisdomduringhislifetime.<section end=summary/>

Hiruzen was born the son of [[Sasuke Sarutobi]]. The [[Sarutobi clan]] was one of the first clans to settle in the newly-created [[Konohagakure]], where Hiruzen struckupa friendship with the [[Shimura clan]]'s [[Danzō Shimura]]. Hiruzen waspartofthefirstgeneration of ninjaproducedby Konoha and he, [[Homura Mitokado]], and [[Koharu Utatane]] were placed under the tutelage of [[Tobirama Senju]]. Hiruzen early on displayed prodigious talent in the ninja arts, earning him additional training from [[Hashirama Senju]], the First [[Hokage]]; at the same time, Danzō became jealous of Hiruzen's skills and started a one-sided rivalry in an effort to surpass him.

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Born into the Sarutobi clan to [[Sasuke Sarutobi|Sasuke]], Hiruzen was a prodigy who truly stood out in talent. He and his former team-mates, [[Homura Mitokado]] and [[Koharu Utatane]], were students of [[Tobirama Senju]], the Second Hokage. He was also trained by [[Hashirama Senju]], the First Hokage. While once a close friend of [[Danzō Shimura]] during their early childhood, Danzō developed a one-sided rivalry with Hiruzen who always managed to be a step ahead of him. During the [[First Shinobi World War]], [[Team Tobirama]] along with Danzō, [[Kagami Uchiha]] and [[Torifu Akimichi]] were pursued by [[Kinkaku Force|enemy Kumogakure ninja]]. Knowing that one of them would need to be a sacrificial decoy so the others can escape, Hiruzen volunteered. However, Tobirama chose to be the decoy instead, naming Hiruzen his successor while driving a further wedge between his student and Danzō. Later in his life, he married [[Biwako]] and became the father of at least two children, [[Asuma Sarutobi]] and at least one other, who has yet to be seen in the series. This unnamed child would later give Hiruzen a grandson: [[Konohamaru Sarutobi]] and Asuma later, [[Kurenai Yūhi's Child|another grandchild]].

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[[File:3sannin.jpg|thumb|A young Hiruzen with thefutureSannin.]]

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[[File:Hiruzen New Hokage.png|left|thumb|Hiruzen isappointedHokage.]]

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Prior to the [[Second Shinobi World War]], Hiruzenbecame the teacherof [[Jiraiya]], [[Orochimaru]], and [[Tsunade]].<ref>''Naruto''chapter139,pages9-11</ref>Coming to appreciateOrochimaru's naturaltalent, Hiruzensawhimasaonceinalifetimegenius.<refname="c122p7">''Naruto''chapter122,page7</ref>However,whileexplaining to Orochimaru the symbolic significance of a white snake the boyfoundnear his parents' grave, Hiruzen unknowing caused his pupil to godownadarkroad while attempting to steer him away from it.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 344, pages16-17</ref>Afterservingas Hokage for manyyears, Hiruzenstarted looking for a successor to the title.Whilehe hoped to be able togive the positionto Orochimaru, he sawthatheonlywas interested in the poweritoffered.<ref>''Naruto''chapter121, page7</ref><refname="c122p7"/> Though he turned to Jiraiya,<ref>''Naruto''chapter366, page12</ref> Hiruzen instead named Jiraiya's student [[Minato Namikaze]] as hissuccessor.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 116, page 3</ref>

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During the [[First Shinobi World War]], Tobirama, by thattime the SecondHokage, led a [[Escort Unit|team]] consisting of Hiruzen, Homura, Koharu, Danzō, [[Kagami Uchiha]], and [[Torifu Akimichi]]. Duringamissiontheystarted to be pursued by[[Kumogakure]]'s [[KinkakuForce]], anenemythatsomebodywouldneedtodistractandinevitablydieatthehandsofinorderfor the rest of the teamtoescape. Hiruzen volunteered to bethedecoy,boastingthat, asthestrongestoftheirgroup, hestood the bestchanceofsurviving the encounter;nevertheless, he askedDanzōtolookafter the others.Tobiramavolunteeredhimselfinstead, andbeforegoing to hisdeathheappointed Hiruzen as ThirdHokage.

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[[File:GroupHiruzen vs Kurama.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen and a group of shinobi prepare to facetheNine-Tails.]]

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{{ImgRight|Teamhiruzen.png|Hiruzen withhisstudents.}}

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Intheaftermath of the [[Third Shinobi World War]], knowingthe danger if [[Kurama]] weretobreaklooseduring the childbirth of its current [[jinchūriki]], [[Kushina Uzumaki]], Hiruzen assigned Biwako and afewANBUforsecuritytooversee the birthing process in asecured location on the outskirts of the village. However, alsolearningof Kushina'spregnancy, a [[masked man]] foundthelocationandslaughteredtheprotectionand [[Taji|maternity detail]] beforereleasing Kurama to destroy Konoha. Unaware of how Kurama got loose, Hiruzen nonetheless led the ninja in subduing the Nine-Tails before Minato arrived and transported himself, and the tailed beast away from from the village. Hiruzen soon arrived at the scene when Minato decided to seal Kurama into his [[Naruto|own son]], unable to intervene because of the erected [[Chakra Chains Barrier|barrier]].<ref>''Naruto''chapters500-504</ref> WithMinatodead, Hiruzen oncemoreassumedtheroleofactiveHokagewhiledecidingtoprotect the orphanedchildbygivinghimhis mother'slastname to concealhisrelationtoKonoha'sYellowFlash.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter440, page5</ref> With this, Hiruzen alsopassedalaw in the villagethatnoonewastospeakofthebeast sealed within the youngmanandhopedthatMinato'sdyingwishthathissonbe seen as a herobehonoured,butthe people who had lived first-hand the devastationthattheNine-Tailscouldbring forth were unable do this. And though most obeyed Hiruzen'slaw—withthosewhodidn't being severely punished — the children of the village, also came to fear and dislike Naruto, simply because their parentsdid.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter2, pages 13-14</ref>

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Atsomepoint, Hiruzenmarried [[Biwako]] andtheyhadason, [[Asuma]], and atleastoneotherchildwho,later in hislife, gaveHiruzenagrandson, [[Konohamaru]].Hiruzenalsostartedleadinghisownteamof new [[Academy]] graduatesconsisting of [[Jiraiya]], [[Orochimaru]], and [[Tsunade]].<ref>Chapter139, pages9-11</ref> Althoughhewas close with all of his students, Hiruzen hadthehighesthopesfor[[Orochimaru]],ageniuslikehimselfwho,after the deathsofhisparents,wasonlyfurthermotivated to haveadeepimpactontheworld.<ref>Chapter344, pages16-17</ref> Hiruzen ledKonoha'sforcesthrough the [[SecondShinobiWorldWar|Second]]and[[ThirdShinobiWorldWar]]s;in the anime,hischoosingtoendtheThirdShinobiWorldWarbysigning a peacetreatywith[[Iwagakure]]despite the lossesKonohasufferedincensedDanzō,prompting Hiruzen tostepdownasHokageagainst the village'sprotests.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode349</ref>

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[[File:Itachitalks to Hiruzen.png|thumb|Itachibegs Hiruzen to protectSasuke.]]

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Hiruzen had long hoped that Orochimaru would succeed him as Hokage but, despite his best efforts, he could never convince him of the [[Will of Fire]]: that Konoha was a family that the Hokage had to risk everything to keep safe.<ref>Chapter 121, page 7</ref> Unable to choose Orochimaru, Hiruzen considered Jiraiya as his successor, but Jiraiya did not believe he was responsible enough.<ref>Chapter366, page 12</ref> Hiruzen ultimately settled on Jiraiya's former student, [[Minato Namikaze]], who had proven himself time and again during the Third Shinobi World War.<ref>Chapter 116, page 3</ref> Hiruzen assisted Minato with the transition of power by advising him on how to handleindividuals and other village matters. He even retained some of his own [[Anbu]], several of which he assigned as security while [[Kushina Uzumaki]], the [[jinchūriki]] of the [[Nine-Tails]], gave birth.

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Some time after resuming his post, Hiruzen began investigating a number of disappearances within Konoha and learned that Orochimaru was behind them. Having used those that he kidnapped as test subjects in his quest to gain immortality, Orochimaru allowed his former master a chance to kill him. Ultimately, Hiruzen could not bring himself to do it, allowing Orochimaru to escape.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 72</ref> A few years later, Hiruzen learned of the [[Uchiha Clan]]'s plot against the village and attempted to find a peaceful resolution for both sides. However, before reaching such an alternative, Danzō inveigled [[Itachi Uchiha]] to [[Uchiha Clan Massacre|slaughter his kin]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 590, page 6-10</ref> However, prior to Itachi leaving the village as a missing-nin, the young man sought out the Third and begged him to protect his [[Sasuke Uchiha|little brother]] and not tell him the truth, and Hiruzen obliged.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 400, page 15</ref>

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[[Kurama Clan Arc|Similarly in the anime]], Hiruzen assigned[[Yakumo]] of the [[Kurama clan]] to hone her genjutsu under [[Kurenai Yūhi]].<ref>''Naruto'' episode 203</ref> However, Kurenai learns of the [[Ido|evil persona]] within Yakumo and Hiruzen regretfullygivesherpermission to seal Yakumo's abilities to prevent the alter ego from killing Yakumo at the cost of ending the Kurama clan.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 205</ref>

Despite their precautions, the Nine-Tails escaped and [[Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha|attacked the village]]. Hiruzen led the village's defence until Minato arrived to remove the Nine-Tails to a safe distance. Hiruzen followed and, cut off by the [[Adamantine Sealing Chains]], could only watch as Minato and Kushina gave their lives to [[Dead Demon Consuming Seal|seal]] the Nine-Tails into their newborn son, [[Naruto]]. Minato did not have time to tell Hiruzen how the Nine-Tails had escaped, instead using the final moments of his life to ask Konoha, via Hiruzen, to think of Naruto as a hero who saved the village and not the container of the monster that killed so many. Hiruzen did so, but the villagers proved unable to follow Minato's wishes, prompting Hiruzen, now the village's Hokage once more, to outlaw any mention of the Nine-Tails an effort to protect Naruto from their misguided hate.<ref>Chapter 2, pages 13-14</ref> He also gave Naruto his mother's surname in order to hide his relation to Minato from Minato's enemies.<ref>Chapter 440, page 5</ref>

Hiruzen eventually started investigating a number of disappearances throughout Konoha. In the anime, he followed a lead provided by [[Kakashi Hatake]],<ref name="NS351">''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 351</ref> which ultimately led him to discover that Orochimaru was behind it all. Hiruzen was dismayed not only by Orochimaru's role or that he was experimenting on those he kidnapped, but also his reasons: to create an [[Eternal Youth and Immortality Technique]]. He attempted to apprehend Orochimaru, but could not bring himself to strike down his favourite student and allowed him to escape.<ref>Chapter 122, page 7</ref> From examining what Orochimaru left behind, a [[Yamato|young boy]] imbued with Hashirama Senju's [[wood release]] was discovered, and over the years the boy became one of Hiruzen's top Anbu operatives. (In the anime, the boy was previously discovered by Danzō, and Hiruzen negotiated the boy's release into Hiruzen's care.)<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 356</ref>

Because Minato never had the opportunity to explain the cause of the Nine-Tails' attack, Konoha's leadership came to suspect a member of the [[Uchiha clan]] was responsible due to the [[Sharingan]]'s ability to control the Nine-Tails. The Uchiha resented this suspicion and began planning a coup d'état, something reported to Hiruzen and the [[Konoha Council]] by [[Itachi Uchiha]]. Hiruzen attempted to peacefully resolve the conflict but negotiations consistently stalled. Danzō eventually stepped in without Hiruzen's knowledge and ordered Itachi to [[Uchiha Clan Downfall|slaughter the Uchiha]].<ref>Chapter 590, page 6-10</ref> Hiruzen only learned of the mission afterwards when Itachi reported its successful completion. Before needing to publicly leave the village as a criminal in order to hide Konoha's involvement in the Uchiha's destruction, Itachi asked Hiruzen to look after his younger brother, [[Sasuke]], the only Uchiha he could not bring himself to kill. Hiruzen agreed.<ref>Chapter 400, page 15</ref> In the anime, Hiruzen also promised not to change the [[Sensing Barrier|village barrier]]'s formula, enabling Itachi to sneak in from time to time to watch Sasuke from afar.<ref name="NS359">''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 359</ref>

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In the anime, Hiruzen permitted Danzō to create [[Root]] - a more ruthless subdivision of the Anbu under Danzō's exclusive control - shortly after he became Hokage in order to balance the shortcomings of his empathetic rule. For years he had ignored Root's questionable foreign ops, its abduction of children, and the actions it took against Konoha personnel, Hiruzen included.<ref name="NS351"/> But Danzō's role in the Uchiha's assassination was not something Hiruzen could abide, and as such he ordered Root be disbanded.<ref name="NS359"/>

== Personality ==

== Personality ==

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Duetothelonglifehehadlived, Hiruzenservedasasource of wisdomformuchof the series,passingonthethingshehadlearned to the nextgeneration.AsHokage,hehadalsoacquiredahabit of attempting to endthingspeacefully, and didwhat he could to avoidbloodshedamongsthisalliesand his enemies.Attheseries'start, Hiruzen wasone of the fewpeoplewhosawNarutoasmorethanthecontainerofKurama, and, as such,becamesomeonethatNarutotrulyadmired, eventhinkingofHiruzenasagrandfather-figure.

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Hiruzenisafirmbelieverinthe[[Will of Fire]], whichholdsthatallthe people of Konohaareafamily and that the Hokageischieflyresponsibleforthatfamily'swell-being. Throughout his tenure, Hiruzen lives up to the WillofFirebybeingavailableforKonoha'svillagersand shinobi during their time of need, making decisions to thebettermentof as many people as possible, and providing his wisdom and guidancewhenever he can. His delicate, thoughtful approach to notonlyissueswithinthevillage but also his interactionswithforeignpowershas given Hiruzen thereputation of being soft, something the [[KonohaCouncil]]spendsmuchofitstimetryingtorectify.Nevertheless,Hiruzen's kind and pacifist ways are widely valued by Konoha's residents and even his rival [[Kage]], and for those reasons his eventual death is regretted by many. However, Hiruzen was not entirely for his softness as heallowedDanzōtoformanAnbu faction of his own, tohandlethedarksideofKonoha's actions.

Althoughhelovedall of Konoha, Hiruzen held his [[Sannin|students]] especiallydear, believingthey were the village's future and, assuch,mustbecultivatedandprotected. He favoured[[Orochimaru]], seeinginhimaprodigysimilartohimselfwhosecontributionstothevillagecouldsomedaybegreaterthanhisown. EvenwhenOrochimaruincreasinglywentastrayandthenfinallydefectedfromKonoha,Hiruzencouldneverabandon his attachmentstoOrochimaru,<ref>Chapter483,page17</ref>insteadblaminghimselffornotbeingabetterteacher.Whenheis[[Summoning:ImpureWorldReincarnation|reincarnated]],he reflects on his lifeandfindsitsimilarly flawed: he feelsresponsiblefor[[DanzōShimura]]'s taking on of the village'sdarkness, believingDanzōwouldnothaveturnedoutsobadlyhadhebeenmorewillingtomakethedifficult decisions; he believes that someofthevillage's-andeventheworld's -problemscouldhavebeenavoidedhad he led with a firmer hand.<ref>Chapter 627, pages 5-6</ref> Hiruzen's own son, [[Asuma]], was defiant towards Hiruzen's philosophies during his youth, but eventually sees the merits in valuing future generations after Hiruzen's death.

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Hiruzenwasalsobitlecherous as well, asheenjoyedspendingmuchofhisfreetimetalkingtoyounggirls,whichwashisfavouritepastime,<refname="d1"/>andwhenJiraiya was still his student, he offered to helpJiraiya test the [[Transparent Escape Technique|technique]] thatwouldallowtheusertospyonnakedwomenunnoticed.EvenJiraiya,inthisinstance,notedhissensei'spervertedqualities. He also fell victim to Naruto's[[Sexy Technique]] onmorethanoneoccasion,faintingafterhesaw it.

The only consistent physical feature Hiruzen has displayed has been his below-average stature, all his other attributes having changed over the years: During his youth he was tan-skinned and had dark brown, spiked hair, adding a small goatee to his look after becoming Hokage; Towards the end of his life his skin is lighter, his hair is grey, his face is gaunter, and he has the wrinkles and liver spots of old age. He initially had a single line running vertically under the outer corners of each eye, which stretched down into his face as he aged until they reached hischeeks.

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Hiruzen was a light-skinned man of below-average stature with grey hair. Since his time training the [[Sannin]], he has had a small goatee and short spiked hair — both being dark brown in colour during his youth. He also initially had a single line running vertically under outer corners of each eye, which stretched down into his face as he aged until they reached his cheeks. As an old man, age had not taken much of a toll on his overall appearance. His only changes were slight; he obtained more pronounced cheekbones, a longer and thicker goatee, a prominent crease across his forehead, grey hair, a few wrinkles, a wart near his left nostril, and a few liver-spots.

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During his reign as Hokage, Hiruzen would commonly wear the official uniform — consisting of the customary hat and haori, along with a red, full-length kimono that was tied using a white sash. With age, had also taken to smoking a pipe. His combat attire consisted of a black jumpsuit, which featured mesh segments over the lower portions of his limbs, and a grey [[Wikipedia:Japanesearmour#Individual armour parts|gauntlet]] that covered his right wrist, forearm and elbow. He also wore an armoured hood with a bandanna-like Konoha [[forehead protector]] over this, which featured two long straps.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 117, page 12</ref> The kanji for "Third Hokage" was inscribed onto an additional piece of fabric attached to the back of his outfit, although at the time of Kurama's attack when he retired the post, it merely had the kanji for {{translation|"fire"|火|hi}}.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter502, page 9</ref> He also had two shuriken holsters strapped to either side of his back.

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[[File:Hiruzenfull.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen'sshinobiattire.]]

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During the [[First Shinobi World War]], he wore grey [[shinobi battle armour]] common to the time period, with heavy protection all over his body. His starts wearing much lighter combat attire at some point, consisting of a black jumpsuit, mesh segments over the lower portions of his limbs, and a green [[Wikipedia:Japanese armour#Individual armour parts|gauntlet]] that covered much of his right arm. He also wore an armoured hood with a bandanna-like [[forehead protector]] over this, tied with two long straps.<ref name="ch117">Chapter 117</ref> Across the back is written "Third Hokage" which is replaced with the kanji for {{translation|"fire"|火|hi}} during his brief retirement.<ref>Chapter 502, page 9</ref> When not in combat, he usually wears the official uniform — the customary hat and haori with a red, full-length kimono that is tied using a white sash. He often smokes during his spare time.

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== Abilities ==

== Abilities ==

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Hiruzen was one of the most powerful shinobi in history, so much so that he was admired as the {{translation|'''GodofShinobi'''|忍の神|Shinobi no Kami}} in his prime, and was said to be the strongest [[Hokage]] that Konoha has ever had.<ref name="d1"/><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 94, page 12</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 121, page 3</ref> Even in his old age, he was also said to be the strongest of all the five [[Kage]] at the time of his death.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 140, page 3</ref> Enma commented on his battle with [[Orochimaru]], saying that it was "miserable" compared to his prime, even though he had clearly been able to hold his own against Orochimaru and two former Hokage without losing his composure. He was also the longest living and longest reigning Hokage. Hiruzen also had keen senses, being able to track down the formerHokage under [[Hashirama Senju]]'s [[Bringer-of-Darkness Technique]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 123, page 8</ref>

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[[File:Hiruzen'sshadowclones.PNG|thumb|Hiruzen using the ShadowClone Technique.]]

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Hiruzen was a natural prodigy as a ninja, hailed as a "[[God of Shinobi]]". His talents were apparent at a young age, earning the special attention of the [[First Hokage]] and the envy of [[Danzō Shimura]]. He was regarded as the strongest [[Hokage]] in Konoha's history,<ref name="ch94" /> and the most powerful of the [[Five Kage]] during his life.<ref name="d1" /> His prowess deteriorated noticeably in his old age, with [[Orochimaru]] noting Hiruzen could have killed him if only he were ten years younger.<ref>Chapter 126, page 10</ref> Despite this, he retained enough skill to, with effort, defeat the [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnated]] First and [[Second Hokage]].

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Even in his old age, his [[chakra]] was noted for being very strong. Similar to Hashirama, Hiruzen's chakracausesadenseeffectontheatmospherewhenreleased, cracking the building he andOrochimaru were battling on.<refname="E69">''Naruto''episode 69</ref> Furthermore, hewasknownforhavingimmensereservesofchakrainhis youth.<ref>''Naruto'' episode71</ref> Despitehisdiminishedreservesofchakra in hisoldage,he alsoshowed great chakra control, needingonlytheminimumamountofchakratouseeachtechnique.

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Hiruzen's longlifegavehimagreatdealofexperiencethat he canuse on thebattlefield, suchasidentifyingatechniquesimplybyseeingthe[[handseals]].<ref>Chapter504</ref> Evenwhenheencounteredsomethingnew, as in thecaseof[[Truth-SeekingBall]]s, hecoulddiscerntheirattributesandlimitationsfromonlybriefobservation.

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Overhis lifetime Hiruzen had accumulated a vast knowledge of [[ninjutsu]]. This is shown when he witnesses [[Kurama]]'s sealing into [[Naruto Uzumaki]], where, after observing the Fourth making [[hand seals]], he immediately discerned which technique he intended to use. Although he concedes that in his current state, he might not be able to fight in equal terms with his former student, Hiruzen remains very confident of his abilities; when confronted with the [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnated]] First and Second Hokage, after being told by his predecessors that they had no choice but to fight him, Hiruzen simply told them to prepare to bedefeated.

In the anime, Hiruzen was said to have immense [[chakra]] reserves in his youth,<ref name="ep71">''Naruto'' episode 71</ref> and even in his old age, his chakra was strong enough to crack stone.<ref name="ch117" /> His reserves diminished in later years, to the point that splitting up his chakra with [[shadow clone]]s was a great risk for him. In the anime, his reduced chakra levels were offset with precise chakra control, needing only the minimum amount of chakra to use techniques to their full potency.<ref name="NS284">''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 284</ref>

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===Taijutsu ===

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Like his chakra, Hiruzen's speed and physical strength were weakened by his ageing body, but his reaction time and sensory perception were still good enough to defend himself, even when [[Bringer-of-Darkness Technique|robbed of his sight]].<ref name="ch123">Chapter123</ref>At times, Hiruzen could lay [[explosive tag]]s without his opponents' noticing.<ref name="ch120">Chapter 120</ref>

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In terms of [[taijutsu]], Hiruzen displayed a very high level of skill. He was able to counter [[Hashirama]] and [[Tobirama]] in close combat. He was also quick-thinking as during their confrontation he was able to place [[explosive tag]]s on each of them without them, nor [[Orochimaru]] even knowing. After summoning [[Enma]], he was able to break through wooden branches with ease.

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Even when [[Bringer-of-Darkness Technique|robbed of his sight]], he could still defend himself from Hashirama's and Tobirama's assaults, blocking all their attacks to prepare for his [[Dead Demon Consuming Seal]]. After sealing both former Hokage, he faced Orochimaru in single combat. Despite his sealing parts of his soul away in the Shinigami, as well as fighting for a prolonged amount of time before he engaged Orochimaru one-on-one, he effortlessly disarmed him of his [[Sword of Kusanagi (Orochimaru)|sword]].

=== Ninjutsu ===

=== Ninjutsu ===

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[[File:Reaper death seal.jpg|thumb|left|Hiruzen using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.]]

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[[File:Reaper death seal.png|thumb|Hiruzen using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.]]

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Hiruzen was alsocalled {{translation|'''The Professor'''|プロフェッサー|Purofessā}}, due to his mastery of all forms of shinobi combat, andhisvast knowledge oftechniques,purportedlyknowing all the techniques within Konoha.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 120, page 15</ref> In the anime, even [[Danzō]],Hiruzen'slife-longrival,openlyacknowledged the Hokage's sheer prowess in utilising any technique as unsurpassed.<ref>''Naruto:Shippūden''episode 284</ref>Histitlealsocamefrom creating a considerable arsenal of original techniques;oneofwhich was the [[Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique]].With this technique, he could create a thousand clones of asingle thrown shuriken in an instant to overwhelm the opponent with the extreme difficultly in evading them all. This method also meant that he didn't have stock up on a lot of shuriken. To watch over the village, he would use the [[Telescope Technique]], allowing him to observe othersthrough his crystal ball over longdistances.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 1</ref> He was also an expert in [[fūinjutsu]], being capable of using the [[Dead Demon Consuming Seal]]. Due to his old age and waningstrengthhewasforcedto get into close range of an enemy in order for it to take effect, thoughhe was still capable of sealing the souls of the First and SecondHokageand part of Orochimaru's soul. He is also adept at using [[barrier ninjutsu]], capable of erecting a [[Four Red Suns Battle Encampment|Kage-calibre barrier]] powerful enough to trap the [[Ten-Tails]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 631, pages 9-11</ref>

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Hiruzen was renownedas {{translation|'''The Professor'''|プロフェッサー|Purofessā}} due to his mastery of all forms of shinobi combat,<refname="ch94"/>reputed for having advanced knowledge ifnotskillof all the techniques to ever exist within Konoha, including the many [[Hiden]] techniquesthatresidewithinit.<ref name="ch120"/><ref name="d4"/>OfHiruzen'smany techniques,hecoulduse the [[Shadow Clone Technique]] to create copies of himselfor the [[Telescope Technique]] to observe thingsfromafar.<ref>Chapter 1</ref> He was shown [[sensing]] and trackingindividualsbytheirchakra<ref>Chapter680, page10</ref> and demonstratedskillwith [[barrier ninjutsu]].<ref>Chapter 631, pages 9-11</ref>

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Hiruzen's knowledge extends to [[fūinjutsu]], such as the [[Dead Demon Consuming Seal]]. By combining it with shadow clones he could seal the souls of multiple targets, thus delaying the sealing of his own soul.<ref name="ch123" /> He was also said to be able to [[Five Elements Unseal|remove]] the [[Five Elements Seal]].<ref>Chapter 166, page 3</ref>

Hiruzen frequently used [[shuriken]] in combat, both the standard size and the larger [[fūma shuriken]].<ref>Chapter 639, page 6</ref> By using the [[Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique]] he could create copies of these shuriken, allowing him to bombard a target with thousands of projectiles without needing to physically carry that many on his person.<ref name="ch117" /> In the anime, Hiruzen was similarly shown utilising his surroundings like shuriken, such as launching [[Roof Tile Shuriken|roof tiles]] at opponents.<ref name="e69"/>

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==== Summoning Technique ====

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Hiruzen'spersonal [[Summoning Technique|summon]],[[Enma]], could [[Transformation: Adamantine Staff|transform]] into an extendable staff that was as sharp as diamond. The staff was Hiruzen's weapon of choice and he wielded it with great proficiency, though its weight became a greater burden to him in his later years. Enma can manifest parts of his body from the staff transformation, attacking with claws or fangs to take opponents by surprise.<ref name="ch120" />

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[[File:The 3rd And Enma.PNG|thumb|left|A young Hiruzen with Enma.]]

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Hiruzen also had a personal [[Summoning Technique|summon]]: [[Monkey King: Enma]], who was capable of [[Transformation: Adamantine Staff|turning into a diamond-hard staff]], which could alter its length and width at will, or become a cage to protect the summoner. The staff was Hiruzen's weapon of choice as he showed great proficiency in wielding it; he successfully pushed back [[Kurama]] with it during its attack on Konoha.<ref>''Naruto Shippūden'' episode 249</ref> Enma could also manifest parts of his body and attack an enemy with his claws and fangs, which added an element of surprise.

=== Stats ===

=== Stats ===

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== Part I ==

== Part I ==

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=== IntroductionArc ===

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=== Prologue— Land of Waves ===

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[[File:Telescope Technique.jpg|thumb|HiruzenwatchingNaruto.]]

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{{main|Prologue — LandofWaves}}

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Hiruzen's first appearance in [[Part I]] was when two men reported to him that [[Naruto Uzumaki]] had vandalised the [[Hokage Monument]]. He was then seen standing next to [[Iruka Umino]] after the [[Academy]] graduation test, telling Iruka that they needed to talk and they were talking later about Naruto. In the manga when Naruto tried to steal the [[Scroll of Seals]], Hiruzen found him and comically fell against his [[Sexy Technique]]. Later when Naruto succeeds in stealing the scroll, Hiruzen was seen instructing a large group of shinobi to stop and capture Naruto, observing the whole incident — including [[Mizuki]] revealing his intentions — from a [[Telescope Technique|crystal ball]].

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[[File:Telescope Technique.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen watching Naruto.]]

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When [[Naruto Uzumaki]] fails the [[Academy]]'s graduation exam yet again, Hiruzen takes Naruto's instructor, [[Iruka Umino]], aside and advises him to be compassionate towards Naruto because of his lack of parents, something Iruka has had similar experiences with. When Naruto shortly afterwards breaks into the [[Hokage Residence]] and steals the [[Scroll of Seals]] (and also defeats Hiruzen with the [[Sexy Technique]]), Hiruzen has no choice but to mobilise a search party to apprehend Naruto. From [[Telescope Technique|observing]] events, Hiruzen learns of Naruto's manipulation by [[Mizuki]] and watches as Iruka finally shows kindness towards Naruto by protecting him from Mizuki. He calls off the search party when it becomes clear Naruto will return, but Hiruzen worries that Naruto's learning of the [[Multiple Shadow Clone Technique]] from the Scroll will risk the [[Nine-Tails]]' escape from his body.

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WhilecriticisingNaruto'sninjaregistrationpicture,intheanimehebecamethetarget of the boy's SexyTechnique,andfellprey to the mentioned.Hewasthenunsuccessfully"assaulted"by [[KonohamaruSarutobi]] whofollowedNarutoonthewayout.Hethenwatchedtheskirmishbetween Naruto and [[Ebisu]], thinkingthathewouldbeheavilyaffectedbythe [[HaremTechnique]],blushing at the merethought of it.

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FromhisconcernovertheNine-Tailsaswellashisdisappointmentthatone of Naruto's firstaccomplishmentsasa[[genin]] is to invent the [[HaremTechnique]],Hiruzenassigns[[KakashiHatake]]as Naruto's [[Team7|team]] leadersothatKakashicanguidehimappropriately,aswellaslookover one of Naruto'steammates, [[Sasuke Uchiha]]. Despite Kakashi's efforts, Narutoremainsobstinate,complainingtoHiruzenabouthoweasy their first [[D-rank]][[mission]] was. When Naruto is unwilling to listen to explanations of how missions are assigned according to rank and skill level - both of which Naruto has little of at the moment- Hiruzen agrees to give the team a [[C-rank]] mission: escorting [[Tazuna]] to the [[Land of Waves]].

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Hewasseenwith the [[Konoha]] [[jōnin]] that would soon be assigned their [[genin]] cell. He told [[Kakashi Hatake]] that he would be leading [[Team 7]]. He and Kakashi then visited Naruto's apartment, pointing out few things like the expired milk that had caused Naruto much trouble after drinking it. He was then talking to Iruka about Kakashi's teaching methods, showing Iruka a book with the number of trainees that Kakashi failed. Iruka could only stare in shock upon realisation that no genin team assigned under Kakashi has ever got a passing mark.

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===ChūninExams===

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{{main|Chūnin Exams (Arc)|l1=Chūnin Exams}}

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[[File:Episode 20.png|thumb|right|Hiruzen calls a meeting.]]

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Hiruzen calls together the village's [[jōnin]] team leaders and informs them that Konoha will be hosting the next [[Chūnin Exams]], an opportunity for their genin-charges to be promoted to [[chūnin]]. He asks that those jōnin assembled who believe their students are ready for the challenge of the exam submit their students' names. He begins with the team leaders of the Academy's most recent graduates and is surprised that all of the [[Rookie Nine]] are deemed suitable by their instructors; he agrees to allow them to enter despite Iruka's protests.

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===LandofWavesArc===

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[[File:ChuninExaminationArena.png|thumb|left|Hiruzenaddressingthegenin that passed.]]

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AfterTeam7completestheir first [[D-rank]] mission,Hiruzencongratulatesthemontheirsuccess.Becausethemissionconsistedonly of findingalostcat,Narutocomplainsthat the missionwastooeasyanddemandstheirnextmissionbemorechallenging, toKakashi'sembarrassment.Hiruzentries to explainhowmissionsareassignedbyskilllevelandthat, asgenin,theycannotbeexpectedtoaccomplishmoredifficultmissionsyet. Narutodoesnotrelent, soHiruzenagreestoassignthema[[C-rank]]mission:escorting[[Tazuna]]tothe[[Land of Waves]].

Inthemonthpriorto the finals, Hiruzen grows increasingly worried. Not only is he unsure of what Orochimaru and his underlings are planning, but it's also apparent that one of the rival [[hidden village]]s is conspiring against Konoha as well, possibly in tandem with Orochimaru. What's more, Hiruzen does not believe that he, nor anyone else in Konoha for that matter, has the skills necessary to meet Orochimaru in battle. To clear his head, he visits his grandson's, [[Konohamaru]]'s, class and is reminded of how important protecting the village and its citizens is to him.

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[[File:Episode 20.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen calls a meeting.]]

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He first appeared in this arc consulting the [[jōnin]] about their decision to register their [[genin]] into the upcoming [[Chūnin Exams]]. [[Asuma Sarutobi]], [[Kurenai Yūhi]], and [[Kakashi Hatake]] all deemed their students worthy. Thereafter, a slight argument ensued between [[Iruka]] and Kakashi where the former claimed that Naruto and his team-mates were not ready for such a challenge. Kakashi silenced him by saying that they were no longer Iruka's students but Kakashi's soldiers. Hiruzen was then sent to the tower in the [[Forest of Death]] after [[Anko Mitarashi]] encountered and was defeated by [[Orochimaru]]. After hearing Orochimaru's message for him, he tried to ease Anko's pain from the Cursed Seal.

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[[File:ChuninExaminationArena.png|thumb|Hiruzen addressing the genin that passed.]]

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When the finals begin, Hiruzen sits and watches with the [[FourthKazekage]],the only other [[Kage]] whose village has representatives competing.Hiruzen,as host, remains pleasant towards the Kazekage and tries to assure him that there are no issues when the schedule for the finals increasingly does not go as planned.

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After the second portion of the exam, he is seen congratulating all the genin who passed, and explaining the next round. He then witnessed the preliminary rounds of the final matches, only to tell the advancing genin about the challenge and their training. From there, he was seen reporting to the council that [[Hayate Gekkō]] had been killed, and that Orochimaru may have been involved. He then decided to carry on the Chūnin Exams as normal. Later that day, he assured Anko, who visited him to apologise, that she did not need to feel guilty about returning alive in the Forest of Death, after her encounter with her former master. He then departed for some air some seconds later to head to the [[Hokage Monument]], where he gave a speech to the [[Academy Student|Academy students]] about what it really means to be a shinobi. When the time of third portion of the exam comes, Hiruzen was present on a stadium as one of the judges. He welcomed [[Fourth Kazekage]] who really was impersonated by Orochimaru.

When the invasion began, Hiruzen was taken by ''Kazekage'' who revealed himself as Orochimaru and forced to battle him, as the Third's former student infiltrated the village and planned Konoha's destruction just so he could kill Hiruzen andkidnap[[Sasuke Uchiha]]. Soon after the battle began, Orochimaru [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnates]] Hashirama and Tobirama, so that Hiruzen could feel the enjoyment of fighting his former masters.<ref name="E69" />

The last match of the first round of the finals is interrupted by an [[invasion of Konoha]]. Hiruzen is taken hostage and separated from his bodyguards by the Kazekage. Hiruzen tries to negotiate with the Kazekage until he realises it is actually Orochimaru in disguise. Orochimaru wants to fight and kill Hiruzen, his former teacher, and has his [[Sound Four|followers]] erect a [[Four Violet Flames Formation|barrier]] so that the [[Anbu]] cannot come to Hiruzen's defence. Hiruzen is glad that nobody will interrupt them and removes his robes, revealing his combat attire underneath. Orochimaru decides he wants Hiruzen to share in the experience of fighting one's former teacher's and as such [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnates]] the [[First Hokage|First]] and [[Second Hokage]].

Hiruzen'sfightwasalsoimpededby Orochimaru'spresence,horrifiedatseeing just how monstrous his treasuredstudenthadbecomethroughmastering[[LivingCorpseReincarnation]]andhis intentions to useitonSasuke.Leftwith nootherchoice, Hiruzen creates two [[shadow clone]]s whileexecuting[[Dead Demon Consuming Seal]]onhisformermasterstostop them.<ref>''Naruto'' episode73</ref>Ashebidaheartfeltgoodbyetohisteachers, heturnedhisattention to Orochimaru andreveals the technique's doubleedgeashemustsacrificebothhissoulandthoseofhispredecessorstotheShinigami.IntendingtohaveOrochimarujointhemin the spectre'sstomachwhilethrowingasidehisformerpupil's [[Sword of Kusanagi: Longsword of the Sky|Kusanagi]],HiruzenattemptstosealOrochimaru'ssoulaswell. Realisingitashestartsto see the Shinigami, Orochimarucalledhis Kusanagi to him, stabbingHiruzenintheback. Despite the fatal injury, Hiruzen continuedto try to remove Orochimaru's soulashisdeath would come one way or the other.

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Hiruzen isdisgustedbythelevels Orochimaru hassunktoand his ownresponsibilityinallowingOrochimarutoescapeyearsearlier.Inorder to rectifythemistakeshe'smadeatlonglast, Hiruzen makes two [[shadow clone]]s that first catch the twoHokage and then use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal toremovetheirsouls.TheHokage'spersonalitiesreturntothembrieflyandtheyapologiseforthehassle they've caused, justasHiruzenapologises to themfor the prison he's sentencedthemto:theirsoulsareconsumedbythe[[Shinigami]].Orochimaruisamusedbytheirdefeat,unawareofwhat'shappening,andbidsHiruzento try the sameonhim.HiruzenandEnmadisarmhim of his [[Sword of Kusanagi: Longsword of the Sky|Kusanagi]] andHiuruzenstartsperformingthesealonhim. WhenOrochimarusenseshissoul'sremoval, hesummonsthe Kusanagi back to him, causingittolodgein Hiruzen despiteEnma's attemptstointerceptit.

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[[File:Hiruzen last smile.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen dying with a smile.]]

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[[File:Hiruzen last smile.png|thumb|right|Hiruzen dying with a smile.]]

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Afteranhourofstruggling,Hiruzencameto accept that his oldagehadleft himtooweak to completelysealOrochimaru away. SeeingthatcompletelyremovingOrochimaru'ssoulwas impossible, yet his desire to redeemhimself for allowinghisformerstudent'sescape, Hiruzendecided to insteadhave the Shinigami take Orochimaru's arms to robhimofusingninjutsuashiswayoffittinglypunishingOrochimaruforhisobsessionwithpower.AsOrochimaru began to cursehisformermasterfortheact,Hiruzenbidshisstudentfarewellashecollapsedwiththehopethattheywouldmeetagain.Seeing Orochimaru as the boyheoncewas, Hiruzendiedwithasmileonhisfacewiththeknowledge that he savedKonohaanditsnextgenerationthatwould come.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 80</ref>

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AlthoughstabbingHiruzenhasstoppedtheremovalof his soul,Orochimarucannotmoveinorder to finishHiruzenoff. Orochimaruencourageshimtodie,butHiruzen, doomed to dieanyway for invokingtheShinigami,ignoreshim, insteadtrying to musterup the strength to finishsealingOrochimaru.Afteranhourpasseswithnoprogress,Hiruzenacceptsthefactthathewon'tbeable to completetheseal.HedecidestodowhatlittlehecantoputanendtoOrochimaru'splansandprotectthevillage:hehas the ShinigamisealOrochimaru'sarms, preventingtheiruse.AsOrochimarucurseshim,Hiruzendiessmiling,hoping that he willseeOrochimaruagaininthenextlife.

== Part II ==

== Part II ==

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=== Ten-TailsRevivalArc ===

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=== FourthShinobiWorld War: Climax ===

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[[File:Hokage Reincarnated.jpg|thumb|Hiruzenisreincarnatedalongside the other threeHokage.]]

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{{main|FourthShinobiWorldWar:Climax}}

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In [[Sasuke Uchiha]]'s quest for answers, Hiruzen's soul was freed from the [[Shinigami]] and subsequently reincarnated with the [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation]] technique alongside his predecessors [[Hashirama]], [[Tobirama]], and his successor [[Minato Namikaze]] by [[Orochimaru]] using [[Zetsu]]'s [[Spore Technique|spore]]clonesassacrifices. After he and Minato explained how they had been freed from the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and reincarnated again, Hiruzen is shocked to learn that Orochimaru did not bring him back to destroy Konoha before learning the reason was to give Sasuke answers. Seeing that Sasuke learned the truth, Hiruzen solemnly confirmed that everything related to the [[Uchiha clan massacre]] was true.

[[Orochimaru]] releases the souls of the first four Hokage from the stomach of the Shinigami, an act that also restores his arms. At [[Sasuke Uchiha]]'s request he then [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnates]] the Hokage. Hiruzen worries that Orochimaru now plans to use him to destroy Konoha, but is instead questioned by Sasuke about the [[Uchiha Clan Downfall]]. Hiruzen confirms the truth of what [[Itachi Uchiha]] did and explains that he only did so on the condition that Hiruzen would keep Sasuke safe in the aftermath. From hearing about what has transpired since his death - Sasuke killing [[Danzō Shimura]] and [[Madara Uchiha]] emerging to start the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]] - Hiruzen feels guilty that maybe things could have been avoided had he taken different actions while he was alive.

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[[File:Hokage'sset out.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen and the other reincarnated Hokage prepare to head outto the battlefield.]]

Shockedwhenhisformersenseiwasabouttotakeaction against Sasuke forsaying thatHashirama'swordswoulddecidewhetheror not he exacted revenge on the village, Hiruzenbreathedasighofreliefwhen the Firstwas able to stop his brother,albeitalmostdestroyingthe[[Naka Shrine]] in theprocess.Questioning Orochimaru when the Sannin noted that they didnot have time for alengthydiscussion,Hiruzen is shocked to hear that there was a [[Fourth Shinobi World War|war]] goingonandeven further that Madara was participating in it. Opting to head to the battlefield immediately and then have their discussion later, when they were bound by Orochimaru, Hiruzen had no choice but to abide by the First'swishtostayandfreeSasukefrom the impending darkness which surrounded him, threatening to corrupthim. With Hashirama's story over, Hiruzen echoedTobirama's sentiments that there had been Uchiha who hadtranscended the limitationsoftheirclanandhadputthevillagefirst. He also noted that [[Shisui Uchiha]],the son of Tobirama's subordinate [[Kagami]] and Itachi's best friend has also inherited Hashirama's [[Will of Fire|will]]. On the outsideoftheNaka Shrine, Hiruzentook the opportunity to question Orochimaru's motives before resigning to his bust on the [[Hokage Monument]] alongside the other respective Hokage. Hiruzen noted that he had not been to war for so long, that he would give it his all.

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HearingfromtheHokageandreflectingonhisownexperiences, Sasuke decideshedoesn'twantKonohatobedestroyed, asisMadara'scurrentintention.Orochimarureleases the Hokagefrom his controlsothattheycanhelp in thisgoal,and they setout for thesiteofthe [[Allied Shinobi Forces]]'battlewiththe[[Ten-Tails]]. When they arrive, the Hokageerecta[[FourRedYangFormation|barrier]]around the Ten-Tails to confineit. Hiruzen mustremainwith the barriertomaintainit,sohecanonlywatchas [[Obito Uchiha]] seals the Ten-Tailsintohisbody, becomingits [[jinchūriki]].

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[[File:Hokagearrive.png|thumb|Hiruzenand the otherHokagearrive on the battlefield.]]

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===Birthof the Ten-Tails'Jinchūriki===

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Arriving with Hashirama and Tobirama, Hiruzen lauded his successor, noting that he still lived up to his moniker of Konoha's Yellow Flash. Answering the curious onlookers, Hiruzen noted that it was Orochimaru whom had reincarnated them and that they were there to put an end to the war. On Hashirama's command, the Hokage launch into action and Hiruzen asked Minato if he had already [[Flying Thunder God Kunai|marked]] the locations before he is teleported to his designated location. Using the [[Four Red Suns Battle Encampment]] technique, the four Hokage are able to successfully trap the Ten-Tails.

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{{main|Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki}}

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[[File:Hiruzen vs Obito.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen attacks Obito.]]

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With his new power, Obito rips down the barrier, finally allowing Hiruzen to participate in the fight. From Obito's display it is obvious to Hiruzen that he is stronger than even the [[First Hokage]]. He therefore personally engages Obito so that nobody needs to put their lives at risk, taking advantage of the fact that he's already dead to analyse Obito's abilities. By observing Obito's [[Truth-Seeking Ball]]s he theorises that they are similar to the [[Third Tsuchikage]]'s [[kekkei tōta]] in that they are a combination of multiple [[nature transformation]]s. He also postulates that the Truth-Seeking Balls have limits to the duration of their malleability, but his upper body is destroyed immediately after that.

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==Legacy==

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[[File:HiruzenfreesNaruto.png|thumb|right|Hiruzen saves Naruto from the Ten-Tails.]]

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After Hiruzen died, seeing him as a great Hokage,[[Tsunade]]notedthatthevillagehasproducedsomeveryfineand determined shinobi under her mentor's leadership, aswhen she saw [[Rock Lee]]'s determination to go through with a life-risking operation. Succeeding Hiruzen as the Fifth Hokage, Tsunadepracticeshermentor's principles during her term. Additionally, Asumapasseshis father's ideals to hisstudent [[ShikamaruNara]] and the significanceofprotecting Konoha's nextgeneration. Asumaisalsothefatherof[[KurenaiYūhi'sChild|achild]]with[[KurenaiYūhi]]whichwillbeHiruzen'ssecondgrandchild, posthumously.AstheFourthShinobiWorldWarbegins,[[KabutoYakushi]]wouldreveal to [[Tobi]] that Hiruzen's useoftheDeadDemonConsumingSealduringhisfightwithOrochimaruhadleftKabutounabletosummon him, nor Hashirama and Tobiramavia Impure WorldReincarnation.

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It takes Hiruzen a great dealoftimeforhisbodytoregenerate.Whenhefinallydoes, hesummons [[Enma]], hashim[[Transformation:AdamantineStaff|transform]], andthenquicklysaves [[NarutoUzumaki]] from the Ten-Tails'treeform's chakra-absorbingroots. WhenOrochimarulaterarrivesonthebattlefield,theyjointogethertohelptheAlliesinthecounter-offensiveagainstObito, firstbyblockingandcuttingbackmoreandmoreofthetree's rootsandbranches,thenbyassistinginpullingthe[[tailedbeasts]]fromObito'sbody.Theircombinedeffortssucceed and Obitoisdefeated.

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The [[FourthRaikage]] insinuated Hiruzen'sdeathmayhave been the result of a secret plot between [[Danzō Shimura]] and [[Akatsuki]], though it was all Orochimaru's doing.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 458, page 7</ref>

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[[File:HiruzenvsGuruguru.png|thumb|left|Hiruzen battlesagainstTobi.]]

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The Allied Shinobi Forces are shortly afterwards attacked by [[Tobi (Zetsu)|Tobi]]. With everyone too tired from the prolonged fighting to defend themselves, Hiruzen and four of his [[shadow clone]]s arrive to help, [[Nature Transformation#Counterbalancing|counterbalancing]] Tobi's elemental attacks with their own. Tobi withdraws once the [[Infinite Tsukuyomi]] is about to best cast, having completed its job of distracting the Allies.

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{{-L}}

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WhilehepromisedItachithat he would protect Sasuke, Hiruzen did not foresee the boy becoming an enemy to Konoha, due to his inability to look past the tragedies of his life, and developing a hatred-induced mindset. When Sasuke was confronted by Kakashi soon after he killed Danzō, hesitant at killing his former student at first, the latter remembers Hiruzen's resolution to kill Orochimaru and finally understood how the Third felt.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 483, page 17</ref>

As the world is wrapped up by [[God: Nativity of a World of Trees]], Hiruzen, unaffected because he is dead, tries to free Tsunade but fails. He and the other Hokage converge at the location of a powerful chakra signature, but find only Madara Uchiha's lower half, from which emerges the [[Sage of the Six Paths]]. Combining efforts with the spirits of the other dead [[Kage]], they summon [[Team 7]], Madara, and the tailed beasts back from [[Kaguya's dimension]]. With the world saved, the Sage returns all the Kage to the [[Pure Land]]. As his soul ascends, Hiruzen entrusts the future to Team 7.

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== Legacy ==

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Hiruzen is only one of many Konoha ninja to die in the village's defence during the [[Konoha Crush]]. However, a special ceremony to mourn Hiruzen is held, which many of Konoha's ninja attend; [[Jiraiya]] does not, opting to reminisce about Hiruzen privately. Hiruzen is quickly replaced as Hokage by [[Tsunade]], who, during her early days in office, notes how many fine shinobi the village produced under Hiruzen's guidance and makes a point to continue his practices during her own term. Because Hiruzen always treated him well, [[Naruto Uzumaki]] remains ever-fond of Hiruzen, becoming incensed when others speak poorly of him. When Naruto becomes Hokage years later, he lives by the [[Will of Fire]] just as Hiruzen did.

== Video Games ==

== Video Games ==

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== Trivia ==

== Trivia ==

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* Hiruzen is one of only three known [[Kage]] to predominantly wear the position's official uniform — the others being the [[Fifth Kazekage]], and the [[Fourth Raikage]].

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{{Youthwiki|Hiruzen Sarutobi}}

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* His father's and clan's name, inspired by [[Wikipedia:Sarutobi Sasuke|Sarutobi Sasuke]], means "jumping like a monkey", further supported by his Summoning Technique, which summons Enma. Tobirama also nicknamed him {{translation|"Monkey"|サル|Saru}}.

* Many aspects of his character were borrowed from the Chinese literature classic ''[[Wikipedia:Journey to the West|Journey to the West]]''. Hiruzen's summon, Enma, bears a very strong resemblance to {{translation|[[Wikipedia:Sun Wukong|Sun Wukong]]|孫悟空|Monkey King}}, the protagonist of the novel, and Hiruzen's chosen weapon was identical to the Monkey King's magical staff.

* Many aspects of his character were borrowed from the Chinese literature classic ''[[Wikipedia:Journey to the West|Journey to the West]]''. Hiruzen's summon, Enma, bears a very strong resemblance to {{translation|[[Wikipedia:Sun Wukong|Sun Wukong]]|孫悟空|Monkey King}}, the protagonist of the novel, and Hiruzen's chosen weapon was identical to the Monkey King's magical staff.

* During his battle with Orochimaru, maybe as a premonition to his death, Hiruzen's likenessonthe [[HokageMonument]]crackedacrossthe face. While the crackwas fairly prominent due to its size, it didn'talwaysshow up in the anime, due either to a bad angle or a mistake by the animators.

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* Hiruzen's ghostisbriefly seen in [[Infiltrate!TheVillageHiddenin the Rain|''Naruto:Shippūden'' episode129]].

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* Hiruzensharedthesamenicknameas [[HashiramaSenju]] and the [[Sageof the SixPaths]].Theywereeachknownas the {{translation|"GodofShinobi"|忍の神|ShinobinoKami}}.

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* DuringhisbattlewithOrochimaru,Hiruzen's likeness on the [[HokageMonument]] cracks across the face.While the crackisfairlyprominentduetoits size, it doesn't always show up in the anime,dueeitherto a bad angle or a mistake by theanimators.

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* [[Masashi Kishimoto]] originally planned for Hiruzen to be a dog, but eventually dumped the idea for being "too weird".

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* [[Masashi Kishimoto]] originally planned for Hiruzen to be a dog, but dumped the idea for being "too weird".

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*Studio Pierrot's Settei sheets of Hiruzen show that he was 140cm when Konoha was founded, 145cm around the time the Valley of the End was created, and 166cm when Tobirama died.

* According to the databook(s):

* According to the databook(s):

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** His favourite foods were [[Wikipedia:Hijiki|hijiki]] (which he shared with rival, [[Danzō Shimura]]), and sardine [[Wikipedia:fish ball|fish ball]]s and his least favourite food was [[Wikipedia:Kasuzuke|narazuke]].

* (About [[Naruto]]) "''He has combined shadow clones with his own invention, the Sexy Technique. What a foolish ninja technique… and he could probably get me with it, too.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 2, page 20</ref>

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* (About [[Naruto]]) "''He has combined shadow clones with his own invention, the Sexy Technique. What a foolish ninja technique… and he could probably get me with it, too.''"<ref>Chapter 2, page 20</ref>

* (To the [[Academy]] students) "''Youonlygetonelife.There's no need to choose an impossible path. It's fine to live aslong as you likeanddie.However…protecting a precious person… you must not forget this no matter what path you choose.''"<ref>Chapter94, page 15</ref>

* (To Orochimaru) "''To me, Konoha isn'tjustanorganisation.EveryyeartherearealotofninjabornandraisedinKonoha…They live, fighttoprotectthisvillageandwhatisprecioustheywould go to their death. Even if we are not related by blood, thoseofthevillageliketheseare, to me, my most precious,mostimportant…family!''"<ref>Chapter 122, pages15-18</ref>

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* (ToOrochimaru) "''Tome, Konoha isn't just an organisation. Every year there are a lot of ninja born and raised inKonoha…Theylive, fighttoprotectthis village and what is precious they would go to their death. Evenifwearenot related by blood, those of the village liketheseare, tome,mymostprecious, most important… family!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter122, pages 15-18</ref>

* (To Orochimaru) "''Even if you were to kill me, the pillar would not crumble. I'm the man who inherited the will of Konoha, the will of the First and Second. I am the Third Hokage!!! No matter how much you target Konoha, there'll be a new Hokage who'll inherit my will… and become the pillar to protect Konoha!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 122, pages 18-19</ref>

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* (To Orochimaru) "''In this society, true power is not attained from mastering all the world's techniques. This is something I have already taught you. When there is something important to protect… that's when a shinobi's true power emerges.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 137, page 13</ref>

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* (To Orochimaru) "''Your foolishness is unparalleled, Orochimaru. My one regret is that I couldn't take you with me. Farewell, disciple! May we meet again in the next world.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 137, page 17</ref>

Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飛ヒルゼン, Sarutobi Hiruzen) was the Third Hokage (三代目火影, Sandaime Hokage, Literally meaning: Third Fire Shadow) of Konohagakure. A disciple of the village's previous Hokage, Hiruzen was a powerful ninja, hailed as a "God of Shinobi". Though he was only ever directly the teacher of the Sannin, generations of Konoha ninja benefited from his wisdom during his lifetime.

During the First Shinobi World War, Tobirama, by that time the Second Hokage, led a team consisting of Hiruzen, Homura, Koharu, Danzō, Kagami Uchiha, and Torifu Akimichi. During a mission they started to be pursued by Kumogakure's Kinkaku Force, an enemy that somebody would need to distract and inevitably die at the hands of in order for the rest of the team to escape. Hiruzen volunteered to be the decoy, boasting that, as the strongest of their group, he stood the best chance of surviving the encounter; nevertheless, he asked Danzō to look after the others. Tobirama volunteered himself instead, and before going to his death he appointed Hiruzen as Third Hokage.

Hiruzen with his students.

At some point, Hiruzen married Biwako and they had a son, Asuma, and at least one other child who, later in his life, gave Hiruzen a grandson, Konohamaru. Hiruzen also started leading his own team of new Academy graduates consisting of Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.[8] Although he was close with all of his students, Hiruzen had the highest hopes for Orochimaru, a genius like himself who, after the deaths of his parents, was only further motivated to have a deep impact on the world.[9] Hiruzen led Konoha's forces through the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars; in the anime, his choosing to end the Third Shinobi World War by signing a peace treaty with Iwagakure despite the losses Konoha suffered incensed Danzō, prompting Hiruzen to step down as Hokage against the village's protests.[10]

Hiruzen had long hoped that Orochimaru would succeed him as Hokage but, despite his best efforts, he could never convince him of the Will of Fire: that Konoha was a family that the Hokage had to risk everything to keep safe.[11] Unable to choose Orochimaru, Hiruzen considered Jiraiya as his successor, but Jiraiya did not believe he was responsible enough.[12] Hiruzen ultimately settled on Jiraiya's former student, Minato Namikaze, who had proven himself time and again during the Third Shinobi World War.[13] Hiruzen assisted Minato with the transition of power by advising him on how to handle individuals and other village matters. He even retained some of his own Anbu, several of which he assigned as security while Kushina Uzumaki, the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, gave birth.

Hiruzen leads a charge against the Nine-Tails.

Despite their precautions, the Nine-Tails escaped and attacked the village. Hiruzen led the village's defence until Minato arrived to remove the Nine-Tails to a safe distance. Hiruzen followed and, cut off by the Adamantine Sealing Chains, could only watch as Minato and Kushina gave their lives to seal the Nine-Tails into their newborn son, Naruto. Minato did not have time to tell Hiruzen how the Nine-Tails had escaped, instead using the final moments of his life to ask Konoha, via Hiruzen, to think of Naruto as a hero who saved the village and not the container of the monster that killed so many. Hiruzen did so, but the villagers proved unable to follow Minato's wishes, prompting Hiruzen, now the village's Hokage once more, to outlaw any mention of the Nine-Tails an effort to protect Naruto from their misguided hate.[14] He also gave Naruto his mother's surname in order to hide his relation to Minato from Minato's enemies.[15]

Hiruzen allowing Orochimaru to escape.

Hiruzen eventually started investigating a number of disappearances throughout Konoha. In the anime, he followed a lead provided by Kakashi Hatake,[16] which ultimately led him to discover that Orochimaru was behind it all. Hiruzen was dismayed not only by Orochimaru's role or that he was experimenting on those he kidnapped, but also his reasons: to create an Eternal Youth and Immortality Technique. He attempted to apprehend Orochimaru, but could not bring himself to strike down his favourite student and allowed him to escape.[17] From examining what Orochimaru left behind, a young boy imbued with Hashirama Senju's wood release was discovered, and over the years the boy became one of Hiruzen's top Anbu operatives. (In the anime, the boy was previously discovered by Danzō, and Hiruzen negotiated the boy's release into Hiruzen's care.)[18]

Itachi begs Hiruzen to protect Sasuke.

Because Minato never had the opportunity to explain the cause of the Nine-Tails' attack, Konoha's leadership came to suspect a member of the Uchiha clan was responsible due to the Sharingan's ability to control the Nine-Tails. The Uchiha resented this suspicion and began planning a coup d'état, something reported to Hiruzen and the Konoha Council by Itachi Uchiha. Hiruzen attempted to peacefully resolve the conflict but negotiations consistently stalled. Danzō eventually stepped in without Hiruzen's knowledge and ordered Itachi to slaughter the Uchiha.[19] Hiruzen only learned of the mission afterwards when Itachi reported its successful completion. Before needing to publicly leave the village as a criminal in order to hide Konoha's involvement in the Uchiha's destruction, Itachi asked Hiruzen to look after his younger brother, Sasuke, the only Uchiha he could not bring himself to kill. Hiruzen agreed.[20] In the anime, Hiruzen also promised not to change the village barrier's formula, enabling Itachi to sneak in from time to time to watch Sasuke from afar.[21]

In the anime, Hiruzen permitted Danzō to create Root - a more ruthless subdivision of the Anbu under Danzō's exclusive control - shortly after he became Hokage in order to balance the shortcomings of his empathetic rule. For years he had ignored Root's questionable foreign ops, its abduction of children, and the actions it took against Konoha personnel, Hiruzen included.[16] But Danzō's role in the Uchiha's assassination was not something Hiruzen could abide, and as such he ordered Root be disbanded.[21]

Hiruzen is a firm believer in the Will of Fire, which holds that all the people of Konoha are a family and that the Hokage is chiefly responsible for that family's well-being. Throughout his tenure, Hiruzen lives up to the Will of Fire by being available for Konoha's villagers and shinobi during their time of need, making decisions to the betterment of as many people as possible, and providing his wisdom and guidance whenever he can. His delicate, thoughtful approach to not only issues within the village but also his interactions with foreign powers has given Hiruzen the reputation of being soft, something the Konoha Council spends much of its time trying to rectify. Nevertheless, Hiruzen's kind and pacifist ways are widely valued by Konoha's residents and even his rival Kage, and for those reasons his eventual death is regretted by many. However, Hiruzen was not entirely for his softness as he allowed Danzō to form an Anbu faction of his own, to handle the dark side of Konoha's actions.

Although he loved all of Konoha, Hiruzen held his students especially dear, believing they were the village's future and, as such, must be cultivated and protected. He favoured Orochimaru, seeing in him a prodigy similar to himself whose contributions to the village could someday be greater than his own. Even when Orochimaru increasingly went astray and then finally defected from Konoha, Hiruzen could never abandon his attachments to Orochimaru,[22] instead blaming himself for not being a better teacher. When he is reincarnated, he reflects on his life and finds it similarly flawed: he feels responsible for Danzō Shimura's taking on of the village's darkness, believing Danzō would not have turned out so badly had he been more willing to make the difficult decisions; he believes that some of the village's - and even the world's - problems could have been avoided had he led with a firmer hand.[23] Hiruzen's own son, Asuma, was defiant towards Hiruzen's philosophies during his youth, but eventually sees the merits in valuing future generations after Hiruzen's death.

The only consistent physical feature Hiruzen has displayed has been his below-average stature, all his other attributes having changed over the years: During his youth he was tan-skinned and had dark brown, spiked hair, adding a small goatee to his look after becoming Hokage; Towards the end of his life his skin is lighter, his hair is grey, his face is gaunter, and he has the wrinkles and liver spots of old age. He initially had a single line running vertically under the outer corners of each eye, which stretched down into his face as he aged until they reached his cheeks.

Hiruzen's shinobi attire.

During the First Shinobi World War, he wore grey shinobi battle armour common to the time period, with heavy protection all over his body. His starts wearing much lighter combat attire at some point, consisting of a black jumpsuit, mesh segments over the lower portions of his limbs, and a green gauntlet that covered much of his right arm. He also wore an armoured hood with a bandanna-like forehead protector over this, tied with two long straps.[24] Across the back is written "Third Hokage" which is replaced with the kanji for "fire" (火, hi) during his brief retirement.[25] When not in combat, he usually wears the official uniform — the customary hat and haori with a red, full-length kimono that is tied using a white sash. He often smokes during his spare time.

Hiruzen was a natural prodigy as a ninja, hailed as a "God of Shinobi". His talents were apparent at a young age, earning the special attention of the First Hokage and the envy of Danzō Shimura. He was regarded as the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history,[6] and the most powerful of the Five Kage during his life.[1] His prowess deteriorated noticeably in his old age, with Orochimaru noting Hiruzen could have killed him if only he were ten years younger.[26] Despite this, he retained enough skill to, with effort, defeat the reincarnated First and Second Hokage.

Hiruzen's long life gave him a great deal of experience that he can use on the battlefield, such as identifying a technique simply by seeing the hand seals.[27] Even when he encountered something new, as in the case of Truth-Seeking Balls, he could discern their attributes and limitations from only brief observation.

In the anime, Hiruzen was said to have immense chakra reserves in his youth,[28] and even in his old age, his chakra was strong enough to crack stone.[24] His reserves diminished in later years, to the point that splitting up his chakra with shadow clones was a great risk for him. In the anime, his reduced chakra levels were offset with precise chakra control, needing only the minimum amount of chakra to use techniques to their full potency.[29]

Like his chakra, Hiruzen's speed and physical strength were weakened by his ageing body, but his reaction time and sensory perception were still good enough to defend himself, even when robbed of his sight.[30] At times, Hiruzen could lay explosive tags without his opponents' noticing.[31]

Hiruzen was renowned as The Professor (プロフェッサー, Purofessā) due to his mastery of all forms of shinobi combat,[6] reputed for having advanced knowledge if not skill of all the techniques to ever exist within Konoha, including the many Hiden techniques that reside within it.[31][4] Of Hiruzen's many techniques, he could use the Shadow Clone Technique to create copies of himself or the Telescope Technique to observe things from afar.[32] He was shown sensing and tracking individuals by their chakra[33] and demonstrated skill with barrier ninjutsu.[34]

Hiruzen frequently used shuriken in combat, both the standard size and the larger fūma shuriken.[38] By using the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique he could create copies of these shuriken, allowing him to bombard a target with thousands of projectiles without needing to physically carry that many on his person.[24] In the anime, Hiruzen was similarly shown utilising his surroundings like shuriken, such as launching roof tiles at opponents.[37]

Hiruzen's personal summon, Enma, could transform into an extendable staff that was as sharp as diamond. The staff was Hiruzen's weapon of choice and he wielded it with great proficiency, though its weight became a greater burden to him in his later years. Enma can manifest parts of his body from the staff transformation, attacking with claws or fangs to take opponents by surprise.[31]

When Naruto Uzumaki fails the Academy's graduation exam yet again, Hiruzen takes Naruto's instructor, Iruka Umino, aside and advises him to be compassionate towards Naruto because of his lack of parents, something Iruka has had similar experiences with. When Naruto shortly afterwards breaks into the Hokage Residence and steals the Scroll of Seals (and also defeats Hiruzen with the Sexy Technique), Hiruzen has no choice but to mobilise a search party to apprehend Naruto. From observing events, Hiruzen learns of Naruto's manipulation by Mizuki and watches as Iruka finally shows kindness towards Naruto by protecting him from Mizuki. He calls off the search party when it becomes clear Naruto will return, but Hiruzen worries that Naruto's learning of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the Scroll will risk the Nine-Tails' escape from his body.

From his concern over the Nine-Tails as well as his disappointment that one of Naruto's first accomplishments as a genin is to invent the Harem Technique, Hiruzen assigns Kakashi Hatake as Naruto's team leader so that Kakashi can guide him appropriately, as well as look over one of Naruto's teammates, Sasuke Uchiha. Despite Kakashi's efforts, Naruto remains obstinate, complaining to Hiruzen about how easy their first D-rankmission was. When Naruto is unwilling to listen to explanations of how missions are assigned according to rank and skill level - both of which Naruto has little of at the moment - Hiruzen agrees to give the team a C-rank mission: escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves.

Hiruzen calls together the village's jōnin team leaders and informs them that Konoha will be hosting the next Chūnin Exams, an opportunity for their genin-charges to be promoted to chūnin. He asks that those jōnin assembled who believe their students are ready for the challenge of the exam submit their students' names. He begins with the team leaders of the Academy's most recent graduates and is surprised that all of the Rookie Nine are deemed suitable by their instructors; he agrees to allow them to enter despite Iruka's protests.

Hiruzen addressing the genin that passed.

Hiruzen is called to the Forest of Death during the Exams' second stage by its proctor, Anko Mitarashi. She reports Orochimaru's infiltration of the Exams and his warnings to not call off the Exams due to his appearance. Suspecting that Orochimaru is after Sasuke Uchiha, Hiruzen has no choice but to allow things to proceed as planned. He watches the preliminary matches, noting the growth of not only Naruto and Sasuke but all of Konoha's genin. Once the preliminaries conclude, he presides over the assignment of first round match-ups in the finals before they adjourn.

In the month prior to the finals, Hiruzen grows increasingly worried. Not only is he unsure of what Orochimaru and his underlings are planning, but it's also apparent that one of the rival hidden villages is conspiring against Konoha as well, possibly in tandem with Orochimaru. What's more, Hiruzen does not believe that he, nor anyone else in Konoha for that matter, has the skills necessary to meet Orochimaru in battle. To clear his head, he visits his grandson's, Konohamaru's, class and is reminded of how important protecting the village and its citizens is to him.

When the finals begin, Hiruzen sits and watches with the Fourth Kazekage, the only other Kage whose village has representatives competing. Hiruzen, as host, remains pleasant towards the Kazekage and tries to assure him that there are no issues when the schedule for the finals increasingly does not go as planned.

The last match of the first round of the finals is interrupted by an invasion of Konoha. Hiruzen is taken hostage and separated from his bodyguards by the Kazekage. Hiruzen tries to negotiate with the Kazekage until he realises it is actually Orochimaru in disguise. Orochimaru wants to fight and kill Hiruzen, his former teacher, and has his followers erect a barrier so that the Anbu cannot come to Hiruzen's defence. Hiruzen is glad that nobody will interrupt them and removes his robes, revealing his combat attire underneath. Orochimaru decides he wants Hiruzen to share in the experience of fighting one's former teacher's and as such reincarnates the First and Second Hokage.

The Hokage greet Hiruzen in the brief moments before Orochimaru suppresses their personalities. Hiruzen attacks, but he has difficulty overcoming their defences and he must summon Enma to help block the First's wood release. He and Enma try to strike Orochimaru directly, but the Hokage block him. Despite failing to reach Orochimaru, Hiruzen is able to plant exploding tags on the Hokage's leg, but their reincarnated bodies cause them to quickly regenerate. Realising he has few options left, Hiruzen prepares to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Orochimaru takes him by surprise before he can do anything by removing his own face, revealing a new body, the completion of his research and the same fate he has planned for Sasuke.

Hiruzen struggling to seal Orochimaru's soul.

Hiruzen is disgusted by the levels Orochimaru has sunk to and his own responsibility in allowing Orochimaru to escape years earlier. In order to rectify the mistakes he's made at long last, Hiruzen makes two shadow clones that first catch the two Hokage and then use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to remove their souls. The Hokage's personalities return to them briefly and they apologise for the hassle they've caused, just as Hiruzen apologises to them for the prison he's sentenced them to: their souls are consumed by the Shinigami. Orochimaru is amused by their defeat, unaware of what's happening, and bids Hiruzen to try the same on him. Hiruzen and Enma disarm him of his Kusanagi and Hiuruzen starts performing the seal on him. When Orochimaru senses his soul's removal, he summons the Kusanagi back to him, causing it to lodge in Hiruzen despite Enma's attempts to intercept it.

Hiruzen dying with a smile.

Although stabbing Hiruzen has stopped the removal of his soul, Orochimaru cannot move in order to finish Hiruzen off. Orochimaru encourages him to die, but Hiruzen, doomed to die anyway for invoking the Shinigami, ignores him, instead trying to muster up the strength to finish sealing Orochimaru. After an hour passes with no progress, Hiruzen accepts the fact that he won't be able to complete the seal. He decides to do what little he can to put an end to Orochimaru's plans and protect the village: he has the Shinigami seal Orochimaru's arms, preventing their use. As Orochimaru curses him, Hiruzen dies smiling, hoping that he will see Orochimaru again in the next life.

Orochimaru releases the souls of the first four Hokage from the stomach of the Shinigami, an act that also restores his arms. At Sasuke Uchiha's request he then reincarnates the Hokage. Hiruzen worries that Orochimaru now plans to use him to destroy Konoha, but is instead questioned by Sasuke about the Uchiha Clan Downfall. Hiruzen confirms the truth of what Itachi Uchiha did and explains that he only did so on the condition that Hiruzen would keep Sasuke safe in the aftermath. From hearing about what has transpired since his death - Sasuke killing Danzō Shimura and Madara Uchiha emerging to start the Fourth Shinobi World War - Hiruzen feels guilty that maybe things could have been avoided had he taken different actions while he was alive.

The Hokage arrive on the battlefield.

Hearing from the Hokage and reflecting on his own experiences, Sasuke decides he doesn't want Konoha to be destroyed, as is Madara's current intention. Orochimaru releases the Hokage from his control so that they can help in this goal, and they set out for the site of the Allied Shinobi Forces' battle with the Ten-Tails. When they arrive, the Hokage erect a barrier around the Ten-Tails to confine it. Hiruzen must remain with the barrier to maintain it, so he can only watch as Obito Uchiha seals the Ten-Tails into his body, becoming its jinchūriki.

With his new power, Obito rips down the barrier, finally allowing Hiruzen to participate in the fight. From Obito's display it is obvious to Hiruzen that he is stronger than even the First Hokage. He therefore personally engages Obito so that nobody needs to put their lives at risk, taking advantage of the fact that he's already dead to analyse Obito's abilities. By observing Obito's Truth-Seeking Balls he theorises that they are similar to the Third Tsuchikage's kekkei tōta in that they are a combination of multiple nature transformations. He also postulates that the Truth-Seeking Balls have limits to the duration of their malleability, but his upper body is destroyed immediately after that.

Hiruzen saves Naruto from the Ten-Tails.

It takes Hiruzen a great deal of time for his body to regenerate. When he finally does, he summons Enma, has him transform, and then quickly saves Naruto Uzumaki from the Ten-Tails' tree form's chakra-absorbing roots. When Orochimaru later arrives on the battlefield, they join together to help the Allies in the counter-offensive against Obito, first by blocking and cutting back more and more of the tree's roots and branches, then by assisting in pulling the tailed beasts from Obito's body. Their combined efforts succeed and Obito is defeated.

Hiruzen battles against Tobi.

The Allied Shinobi Forces are shortly afterwards attacked by Tobi. With everyone too tired from the prolonged fighting to defend themselves, Hiruzen and four of his shadow clones arrive to help, counterbalancing Tobi's elemental attacks with their own. Tobi withdraws once the Infinite Tsukuyomi is about to best cast, having completed its job of distracting the Allies.

As the world is wrapped up by God: Nativity of a World of Trees, Hiruzen, unaffected because he is dead, tries to free Tsunade but fails. He and the other Hokage converge at the location of a powerful chakra signature, but find only Madara Uchiha's lower half, from which emerges the Sage of the Six Paths. Combining efforts with the spirits of the other dead Kage, they summon Team 7, Madara, and the tailed beasts back from Kaguya's dimension. With the world saved, the Sage returns all the Kage to the Pure Land. As his soul ascends, Hiruzen entrusts the future to Team 7.

Hiruzen is only one of many Konoha ninja to die in the village's defence during the Konoha Crush. However, a special ceremony to mourn Hiruzen is held, which many of Konoha's ninja attend; Jiraiya does not, opting to reminisce about Hiruzen privately. Hiruzen is quickly replaced as Hokage by Tsunade, who, during her early days in office, notes how many fine shinobi the village produced under Hiruzen's guidance and makes a point to continue his practices during her own term. Because Hiruzen always treated him well, Naruto Uzumaki remains ever-fond of Hiruzen, becoming incensed when others speak poorly of him. When Naruto becomes Hokage years later, he lives by the Will of Fire just as Hiruzen did.

Many aspects of his character were borrowed from the Chinese literature classic Journey to the West. Hiruzen's summon, Enma, bears a very strong resemblance to Sun Wukong (孫悟空, Monkey King), the protagonist of the novel, and Hiruzen's chosen weapon was identical to the Monkey King's magical staff.

During his battle with Orochimaru, Hiruzen's likeness on the Hokage Monument cracks across the face. While the crack is fairly prominent due to its size, it doesn't always show up in the anime, due either to a bad angle or a mistake by the animators.

Masashi Kishimoto originally planned for Hiruzen to be a dog, but dumped the idea for being "too weird".

Studio Pierrot's Settei sheets of Hiruzen show that he was 140cm when Konoha was founded, 145cm around the time the Valley of the End was created, and 166cm when Tobirama died.

(About Naruto) "He has combined shadow clones with his own invention, the Sexy Technique. What a foolish ninja technique… and he could probably get me with it, too."[39]

(To the Academy students) "You only get one life. There's no need to choose an impossible path. It's fine to live as long as you like and die. However… protecting a precious person… you must not forget this no matter what path you choose."[40]

(To Orochimaru) "To me, Konoha isn't just an organisation. Every year there are a lot of ninja born and raised in Konoha… They live, fight to protect this village and what is precious they would go to their death. Even if we are not related by blood, those of the village like these are, to me, my most precious, most important… family!"[41]